Longhorns trample Bears 62-0

Nov. 8, 2005

by RIAZ DHANANI, sports editor

Baylor fans would like to forget what happened this weekend. Longhorn fans won't let them. For the second time in as many weeks, the Bears failed to put up any points on the board, losing 62-0 to the No. 2 Texas Longhorns on Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium.

The loss comes as a disappointment to a team that has risen well beyond expectations and has proven its competitive spirit time and time again. Fans know the game serves as no reflection as to how much improvement Baylor head Coach Guy Morriss and his team have made.

Robyn Kenagy | Lariat staffLinebacker Jamaal Harper, middle, reacts to getting hit in the head with the ball and dropping an interception during a 62-0 loss against the No. 2 Texas Longhorns Saturday afternoon at Floyd Casey Stadium.

Morriss was just surprised that the game got as out of hand as it did.

"Texas is pretty good, there's no question about that," Morriss said. "We lost our composure, but that's what good football teams do to you. We knew they were good, but I don't think we thought we would get dominated that bad on both sides of the ball."

The University of Texas scored touchdowns on eight consecutive drives.

This against a Baylor defense that came into the game ranked 32nd in the nation, allowing only 20.5 points per game.

"It just seemed like everything started clicking for (Texas)," defensive end Marcus Foreman said. "We didn't respond very well. I don't feel like we quit, but it's kind of demoralizing at times."

Cornerback C.J. Wilson said the Longhorns were the best offense the team has played all season.

"We were missing tackles," Wilson said. "They just did a good job of finding some open spots in our defense."

Heisman hopeful Vince Young led the Longhorn offense, completing 16 of 27 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Young also ran for 53 yards on eight attempts.

"(Young) makes it look so easy, like everything is in slow motion,'' Longhorn head Coach Mack Brown said. "It just seemed like another workman day for him."

On the offensive side of the ball, Morriss made the decision to start quarterback Terrance Parks instead of Shawn Bell, who has started all eight games this season.

Seemingly running for his life each play, Parks managed 10 completions on 23 attempts for 89 yards and two interceptions in his second career start. The offense only managed to record 201 total yards.

"(Parks) got himself out of some sack situations because of his athleticism and still made some throws. That was good to see," Morriss said.

"Overall, he did okay ... I guess you can give him about a C-plus. I don't know if that's fair or not."

The loss moves Baylor to 4-5 on the season and makes the final two games must-win situations if the team plans on being bowl eligible.

Baylor's next task will be to take on the University of Missouri at 1 p.m. Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

With a victory, the Bears will move within one game of being bowl eligible, playing Oklahoma State University Nov. 19 at home.

"This is a trail these kids have never been on before, playing in the 10th week of the season where the game still means something," Morriss said. "If that's not motivation, I don't know what is."